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Praying for a Spiritual Child
By Mary Kretzmann,
excerpted from:
 
 Finding God in the Heart of Your Family Director of  Ananda Healing Prayer Ministry
Tim and I were wedded twice. We had a family wedding, and then packed up and moved,sight unseen, toAnanda Villageas our honeymoon. It was
Spiritual Renewal Week 
,(1978) a special week of classes all taught by Swami Kriyananda, direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda. At the end of that week, on Saturday night, we took Kriya Yogainitiation for the first time, with Swamiji. The next morning, at Sunday Service, also withSwamiji, we were married using the marriage vows written by Paramhansa Yogananda,which includes the words:
"To bring souls on earth to worship God as newborn souls.”
It was a very special time for us, for we were newly married, newly initiated into Kriyayoga, and we knew we wanted to have a family. During the one of the classes at
Spiritual  Renewal Week 
, Swamiji told the following story from Yogananda, which he later put intohis book,
Conversations with Yogananda
.“A couple expressed to me their desire for a spiritual child. I prayed for them,then showed them a photograph. This soul, I told them, would be suitable for them, and was also, I felt, ready to be reborn on earth.“‘Meditate on this soul,’ I said. ‘Concentrate especially on the eyes. Invitehim to come dwell in your home. In addition, have no sexual contact for sixmonths; abstinence will increase your magnetism.“‘When, at the end of that time, you come together physically, think of that person, and think also of God. If you follow my advice in all these respects, thatsoul will be born to you.’“They followed what I’d told them, and, some timelater, that was the very soul which was drawn into their home.”
Conversations with Yogananda
: Entry # 175RECORDED, WITH REFLECTIONS, BY HISDISCIPLE SWAMI KRIYANANDA (J. DONALDWALTERS)Since it was our very first week at Ananda, I assumed that Swamiji taught this often.However, it was another 
20 years
before I heard him mention it again! I can see why; it’scertainly not everyone’s cup of tea. I was ready for this information because I lovedchildren, and we knew we wanted a family. I was also very motivated to do what I couldto draw in spiritual souls, as I mentioned in 
When Does the Soul Enter the Body?
 
Though newly married, we had already lived together for some time; we even owned acute little home in Arkansas. But as we came on to this spiritual path, we no longer wanted to live in accordance with the norms of our generation; we wanted to align our lives with Yogananda’s spiritual ideals. Once we had that realization we entered a periodof celibacy to pray for guidance. The question was not whether or not we loved eachother, for we were happy together. But how do you know when to take a solemn vow?Suffice it to say, even though I’d had a deep intuition right before I met my husband that Iwas about to meet “the one,” I still needed a prayerful process to to trust that inner voiceand “jump off the dock,” so to speak, and make it real with a vow.Also, as we were coming onto the spiritual path, I was surprised to find that I was feelingcalled to be a nun in catholic convent, even though I’d barely been to church since I hadleft home! When I was a girl, I wanted to be a nun, as a form of dedication to God, andJesus and Mary. That seemed a long while ago, but that feeling came back at this time. Itwas not overwhelming, but it was strong enough to get my notice. We were new atmeditating, but there were several times that I felt Divine Mother’s loving guidance inthis prayerful time. One day, I felt Her grace enter the stillness of my heart with thesewords, “In this life, to learn unconditional love, be a mother.”My heart was at peace. I knew my path… So – by the time we heard Swamiji’s class, wewere already prepared in many ways. We knew there was spiritual power in havingextended times of celibacy, as well as (in general) waiting, perhaps for a month or more, between those special times of coming together as a couple. The mind enters a moresublime state. The practice of meditation, plus a vegetarian diet, gives the body a sense of calmness that makes this more readily attainable. (Fruit is especially calming anduplifting.) We were young and in love, and still very romantic. We would laugh, hug, andkiss, and generally enjoyed being with one another, but we also had this other goal, andso we wanted to save the energy, and we knew that it was worth it.I mention this because each couple has to find their own way with this process, but Icouldn’t relate to being a cold fish about it all. There was a still natural sense of joy andaffection in those times, yet with a sense of restraint. Sexual freedom and connection isalmost worshipped these days (especially in the media) so I feel a bit strange mentioningthat your life as a couple, and as a devoted soul, can be enhanced with periods of celibacy, or “moderation,” define it as you will.I also address this topic in my healing visualization,
 Psalm 23 in the Chakras:
“He leadeth me beside the still waters” 
 …The physical expression of love is an important, tender connection for manycouples. It is often best, then, to focus on bringing in greater love, and lessening any sense of lust in the act, rather than to become radical and "renounce" it all  prematurely, in the name of spiritual zeal. As a married couple learns thebalance between sexual expression and inner stillness, great love can deepenbetween them, if they are mindful also to find other ways to express their purified 
 
 
love for each other, lest they become too austere. Be deeply kind to one another,always. Seeing the Divine Beloved enshrined in one another's forms, the couplecan both give and receive deeper love. In this way, love can, over time, betransmuted from the second chakra up to the heart center. This process must  proceed with self-honesty, and compassionate consideration toward the needs of the beloved and of oneself…
So, we were ready to ask the blessings of God, Christ, Guru in our marriage, and in our desire for spiritual children. There was a deep blessing, and a powerful opening at myspiritual eye, that accompanied the time of our daughter’s conception. I felt the grace of our Guru perfecting the process, helping to uplift our consciousness, because we werestill such neophytes on the spiritual path. A special grace, power and upliftmentaccompanied the conceptions of our other children as well. In addition, I sensed their  basic soul essence, and needs for growth in this lifetime. This has helped me as a parent.It is a noble goal even to attempt this process of inviting a spiritual soul to your family.God grace answers such prayers, and sincere intention and efforts, in this direction. Your  prayers and your intention are a magnet in and of themselves. This is an important point,and it must be a large part of the reason that Paramhansa Yogananda put that line is hismarriage vows,
"To bring souls on earth to worship God as newborn souls.”
That registers as a prayer in the ether, and helps those couples, I believe, even if theyaren’t able to practice the 6-month celibate period as stated, above. The principle of conserving your sexual energy, to build spiritual magnetism for this prayer, however isvery important. Do whatever seems kind and reasonable for your marriage. Stretchyourselves, but not to the breaking point. Over the years, I have counseled some coupleson this matter, and that is why I stress this directional, rather than absolute, approach.I have seen that it can be helpful to some couples, and more attainable, to have a 6-month period of intentional “moderation,” rather than complete celibacy. This can still help build spiritual magnetism for your meditations, and for your prayers to invite a spiritualsoul to your family. Some traditions suggest only coming together physically once amonth. This will help the process. Again, think about it, and pray about it; ask to beguided on what would be right for you now.Some very saintly couples are naturally inclined to be celibate, livingmostly as “brother and sister” except when coming together solely for the purpose of having children. The parents of Paramhansa Yogananda weresuch a couple, as were the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux. So, if your marriage is also in this category, you are in very august company, and youshould able to apply Yogananda’s instructions rather naturally.
The parents of St. Therese of Lisieux,
Louis and Zelie Martin, prayedfor saintly children; all 5 of their children were deeply dedicated to God.
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father mike carvell FOURTH PROPHET F...

great holy read my friend God lives in your work be blessed its great heart for God thanks much

reply06 / 27 / 2010
Mary Kretzmann

Thank you for your high praise...God bless you...

06 / 28 / 2010
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